Risk of bacterial infection in COPD patients with Vitamin D defficiency

<b>Introduction:</b> In last few years, many studies have shown the impact of vitamin D deficiency in COPD exacerbation. We conducted this retrospective study in 90 COPD patients who presented with exacerbation due to various reasons to our hospital. We analysed, if vitamin D (2,5 OHD) deficiency of less then 30 ng/ml is associted with infective exacerbation of COPD. <b>Method:</b> Out of 90 COPD patients, 66 were males and 24 were females. Range of age was from 48 to 83 years. 64 out of 90 were active smokers at the time of presentation. The reason of exacerbation were established in every patient. Those, with increase in purulence of sputum, along with any fever, increased WBC counts, with or without any chest Xray opacity, with bacterial growth in sputum or ET secretions or BAL sample were taken as infective exacerbation due to bacteria. <b>Result:</b> The most common cause of exacerbation was found to be due to poor compliance with inhalers and regular smoking. 38 patients used to take inhalers only on <i>as and when require basis.</i> Second commonest cause of exacerbation was infective exacerbation, which was there in 29 pateints. All the 29 patients had Vit D level &lt; 15 g/ml. 13 pateints had viral exacerbation, which includes infection due to H1N1. 4 pateints had pulmonary embolism, 5 patients had aspiration of gastric acid after consuming alcohol, nd 1 patient has severe fume toxicity due to fire in the house. Avaerage vitamin D level in those with bacterial infective exacerbation was 12.3 ng/ml, while the avaerage vitamin D level of those with non-bacterial exacerbation was 32.6 ng/ml. <b>Conclusion:</b> This study suggests that low levels of Vitamin D is associated with increased risk of bacterial infections.